Wang family feast

In celebration of National Day, the Wang family came together yesterday at their parents lovely house North of the 5th Ring Road - Lina, her two sisters and two brothers (the 1-child policy was not adopted until 1979) and three of their children.

I was very impressed by the 300+ square meter, three-level house that they had totally renovated some years ago. With plasma TVs, floor heating, elaborate woodwork, double-paned windows - it was not what most Westerners would expect.

The limits of my Chinese were obvious in trying to talk with the parents, but I could also justify speaking some English, by happily agreeing to practice with the kids - Antti (14 yrs) and sisters Sarah (14 yrs) & Jessei (17 or 18?) - who must learn English in school (and to pass the college entrance examination). It was a warm, friendly atmosphere.

...and the food was wonderful, especially the hairy crabs — so named because of hairy growths on their legs and bottom shell — which are revered in Chinese cuisine. These crabs are a real delicacy, only found in Yangcheng Lake in Jiangsu Province, with a production of only about 1500 tons annually, and available from September to December. The crabs are steamed and served with minced ginger and vinegar, with the main attraction being the creamy roe, not the crab meat (which is very meager, given the small size of the crabs). Quite a messy and strenuous meal, but delicious and worth the effort!

Given that the small crabs cost upwards of $10 each, it is no wonder that there are lots of imitation crabs on the market. Our crabs were wearing special tags, and there is also a laser identification system, but even this can be counterfeited. However, we had both the "real thing" and other crabs, and I can attest that the difference in taste was quite obvious.

The evening offered a wonderful insight into modern Chinese life, and I hope I can somehow repay the hospitality.